Wild recalls G Darcy Kuemper following Backstrom injury

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - A move by the Minnesota Wild suggests Tuesday's injury to their starting goaltender could be a lingering issue.

On Wednesday the club recalled goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL).

The move comes after Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom had to be helped off the ice after injuring himself during warmups before game one of the Western Conference playoff series against Chicago.

Goaltender Josh Harding stepped in for Backstrom and played an excellent game, losing 2-1 in overtime to the high-scoring Blackhawks.

The team reported only a "lower body injury" to Backstrom, but sources told KARE 11's Dave Schwartz it involved a problem with the goaltenders groin.

Kuemper, 22, went 1-2-0 with a 2.08 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage in six games with the Wild this season. He made his NHL debut Feb. 12 at Vancouver and won his first NHL game Feb. 17 against Detroit.

He went 13-8-0 with a 1.88 GAA, a .934 save percentage and four shutouts in 21 regular season games with the Aeros.

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